Do I Really Have to Wait 6 Months to Varnish My Painting?

Utrecht Art Supplies Studio Craft: Waiting to Varnish

"Do I really have to wait 6 months to Some oil colors dry more slowly than others, so varnish my painting?" a single passage may remain soft while fast drying areas are fully dry. Paintings stored in cold, humid conditions may dry more slowly than those stored in warm, dry environments.

How long to wait before varnishing depends on Oil paintings dry to the touch can receive a coat several factors: of Retouch Varnish or light application of synthetic picture varnish. Retouch Varnish • Type of paint restores luster and imparts even gloss, • Pigments and mediums used deepening colors while it protects the paint film.

• Thickness of application

• Type of ground/support It’s generally best to wait 6-12 months depending on paint thickness, or until paint has • Ambient temperature/humidity formed a firm solid before applying a heavy final Oil paints cure slowly over months, while varnish. (The 6-12 months “rule” dates at least acrylics dry very quickly by evaporation. Even as far back as A.P. Laurie’s “The Painter’s with acrylics, however, thick applications can Methods and Materials”, 1926, at a time when remain soft internally for weeks. heavy resin-oil varnishes were still in common use.) If damar retouch has been applied, it can either be removed for re-coating or full-strength damar can be applied over top. (For best results do not top-coat retouch damar with a synthetic varnish.) A light single coat of synthetic varnish can be top-coated later with the same product. Varnishing early isn’t likely to retard drying by oxygen starvation (modern grounds remain permeable from the back), but varnishing still- soft paintings can result in an imperfect top coat with irregular texture or bloom beneath the varnish. Of course, paintings wet to the touch should not be varnished at all- varnish can intermix with colors, making removal without damage to the art nearly impossible. Acrylic paintings can be varnished as soon as they are thoroughly touch-dry and solid through the entire film; no residual moisture should remain. Use synthetic varnish for acrylic paintings. Proper picture varnish should remain optically clear, flexible and neutral in color and should be reversible to facilitate future cleaning and conservation. Think of varnish as analogous to glass over works on paper: distinct and separate from the artwork, replaceable and unobtrusive. Synthetic solvent-borne varnishes like Gloss Picture Spray Varnish or Gloss Oil Varnish are good options for both oils and acrylics.

Questions? Ask the Expert Intended for reference only. Observe all package instructions. Dick Blick Holdings/Utrecht Art Supplies is not responsible for any damage to personal property that may result from use of the information presented herein. © Copyright 2013 Dick Blick Holdings Inc. All rights reserved.